Pours amber brown with red around the edges and a small soapy head. Aroma is heavy on the spice, with a dash of dish soap smell, sweet caramel and toffee, and a tinge of pine. Flavor very much highlights the rye, spicey black pepper, some pine bite, bit of dark dry fruit with serious dry finish. Has some qualities of a dubbel but without much sweetness. Light to medium mouthfeel that finishes dry. Very true to the rye here, and does not go all IPA on you like a lot of "rye" pales do. I respect that.

A- Pours a dark copper color with a 1/2 inch tan head that retains well before it slithers down to a thick ring around the edge of the glass and a mostly full sheet of surface foam. Resilient lacing leaves a full sheet behind on the glass.

S- Crisp and a bit citrusy with a slight malt sweetness.

T- The rye balances out the hop bite precisely making for a drink that's just as malty and spicy as it is grassy and fruity. Lingering bitterness.

M- Oily and a bit sharp from the hops. Medium carbonation and a body that's on the full side.

O- Nothing too complex but it is effective in its execution. Drinkable, enjoyable and flavorful. Isn't that all that matters?

Pours bright copper with good dose of slightly off-white head. Great lacing left behind. Smell is lots of fresh, crisp rye bread and citrus hops. Taste brings more of the same, with spicy rye notes, citrus hops, a bit of caramel sweetness, and a subtle earthy taste. Perfect balance between malt and hops. Mouthfeel is slightly above medium, and exceedingly drinkable.

This is the gold standard of rye beers for me. Only Founders Red's Rye and the Lenny Bruce beer from He'Brew showcase rye as well as Rye Hopper does. Pair this with some great music at the French Broad tasting room and you have a perfect combo.